A groundbreaking ceremony will be held May 1 for construction of new inpatient hospital rooms in the Medical/Surgical Department at Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland in Barron, Wisc.

Each year, Mayo Clinic Health System – Northland in Barron cares for more than 500 hospitalized patients. The $4.9 million, 8,778-square-foot project will include 10 new rooms and feature expanded and environmentally friendly features. A 5,600-square-foot shell space also will be constructed for future replacement of the hospital’s Family Birth Center.

When construction is complete, each new patient room will include a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom. For immobile patients, a built-in ceiling lift system will safely allow for smooth movement within the space. Room design features patient comfort, along with remote-controlled lights and temperature from a patient’s bed. In addition, the new rooms will be large enough to accommodate some therapies and procedures without having to move the patient to a different location.

Construction is expected to take about one year.